Coldplay Tops Billboard 200; Michael Jackson Re-enters Hot 100

​Coldplay sold 383,000 copies of its new album “Ghost Stories” the first week of release, giving the set the highest sales week so far this year. “Ghost Stories” debuts at Number One on the Billboard 200, Top Rock Albums, Alternative Albums and Digital Albums charts. Also new in this week’s Top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart are Country singer Brantley Gilbert’s “Just As I Am,” Phillip Phillips’ “Behind The Light” and the motion picture soundtrack to “The Fault In Our Stars.”
​Iggy Azalea Ties Beatles Record

Iggy Azalea performs on stage at 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango at the StubHub Center on May 10, 2014, in Carson, California.

x

Iggy Azalea performs on stage at 102.7 KIIS FM's Wango Tango at the StubHub Center on May 10, 2014, in Carson, California.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea ties a record held by the Beatles since 1964. She ascends to Number One on the Hot 100 chart with “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX and also holds the Number Two spot on the list as a guest on Ariana Grande’s “Problem.” According to Billboard, Azalea and the Beatles are the only acts to rank at Number One and Number Two simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 hits. “Fancy” also tops this week’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

​Michael Jackson Makes Hot 100 Comeback

This CD cover image released by Epic shows "Xscape," a release by Michael Jackson.

x

This CD cover image released by Epic shows "Xscape," a release by Michael Jackson.

The late Michael Jackson re-enters this week’s Hot 100 chart at Number 14 with “Billie Jean.” The song last appeared on that chart in 1983, when it spent seven weeks at Number One. A new Michael Jackson single from his new album Xscape has the second highest debut at Number 45. The album’s lead single, “Love Never Felt So Good,” slips to Number 16. That track is a duet with pop singer Justin Timberlake.

Lennon Memorabilia Up for Auction

British publisher Tom Maschler is offering an 89-piece collection of John Lennon material to Sotheby’s Auction House. The collection includes drawings, poems, short stories, a cartoon and a nine-page manuscript. The auction takes place on June 4 in New York.

Jimmy Page arrives for the 59th Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House in London May 22, 2014. (Photo by Mark Allan /Invision/AP)

x

Jimmy Page arrives for the 59th Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House in London May 22, 2014. (Photo by Mark Allan /Invision/AP)

The first three albums by legendary rock band Led Zeppelin were released on June 3. The group’s guitarist Jimmy Page remastered “Led Zeppelin,” “Led Zeppelin II” and “Led Zeppelin III,” which will be followed by six additional albums in chronological order. The reissues are available in six different formats: single CD, deluxe edition (2-CD), single vinyl LP, deluxe edition vinyl, digital download and super deluxe boxed set. Jimmy Page said, “The material on the companion discs presents a portal to the time of the recording of Led Zeppelin. It is a selection of work in progress with rough mixes, backing tracks, alternate versions, and new material recorded at the time.”

Darius Rucker performs on stage at the American Idol XIII finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on May 21, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)

x

Darius Rucker performs on stage at the American Idol XIII finale at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on May 21, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)

Darius Rucker’s fifth annual “Darius and Friends Benefit Concert” took place June 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. Also on the bill are Kenny Rogers, Clint Black, Thompson Square, the Eli Young Band, David Nail, Cassadee Pope and Corey Smith. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Rucker said, “St. Jude does such amazing work for young cancer patients and their families, and I’m grateful to all my fellow artists and friends for coming together to have some fun and support such a great cause.” On June 3, Rucker hosted his annual “Darius and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament,” which also raises money for St. Jude.

On June 5, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry will host its 6th Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction. Up for bid are guitars autographed by such popular Country stars as Luke Bryan, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, and others. All proceeds go to the Opry Trust Fund, which assists members of the Country music community in need.

On June 5, Big & Rich will officially kick off the 2014 CMA Music Festival with a concert at Nashville’s Riverfront Stage. The four-day festival, created in 1972 as Fan Fair, draws tens of thousands of Country music fans from around the world. In addition to daytime and nighttime concerts, the annual event offers many activities and artist autograph signings.

The 2014 CMT (Country Music Television) Music Awards will be presented in Nashville on June 4. Miranda Lambert leads the nominees with six nods, including Video of the Year and Female Video of the Year for “Automatic.” She’s also up for two trophies with Keith Urban for their duet “We Were Us” and two as a member of Pistol Annies. Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan received five mentions apiece, and Taylor Swift and Keith Urban are nominated for four each. Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church are Carrie Underwood are among the many Country stars scheduled to perform at the show. Actress Kristin Bell is hosting the ceremony for the third consecutive year. (See complete list of nominees at www.cmt.com.)

Singer Miley Cyrus performs during the World Music Awards at Monte Carlo Sporting Club, on May 27, 2014 in Monaco.

x

Singer Miley Cyrus performs during the World Music Awards at Monte Carlo Sporting Club, on May 27, 2014 in Monaco.

At the end of May Miley Cyrus and One Direction dominated the 2014 World Music Awards with four wins apiece. Cyrus took home trophies for World’s Best Video for “Wrecking Ball” and was named World’s Best Female Artist, World’s Best Pop/Rock Artist and World’s Best Pop/Rock Female Artist. One Direction won for World’s Best Selling Record Act, World’s Best Selling British Artist, World’s Best Group and World’s Best Pop Act. Other multiple winners included Lorde, Eminem, Mariah Carey, Avicii, Daft Punk and Belgian singer Stromae.

Look Who's Going on Tour!

Singers Gianluca Ginoble, left, Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto of the group Il Volo, show their awards at the Latin Billboard Awards, April 24, 2014, in Coral Gables, Fla.

x

Singers Gianluca Ginoble, left, Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto of the group Il Volo, show their awards at the Latin Billboard Awards, April 24, 2014, in Coral Gables, Fla.

On June 5, Italian pop opera group Il Volo kick off a 15-city North American tour in Modesto, California. The trio released three albums in 2013, “We Are Love,” “Il Volo’s We Are Love: Live From The Filmore Miami Beach” and “Buon Natale: The Christmas Album.” The outing wraps on June 26 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Country legend George Strait will end his touring career on June 7 with an all-star event in Arlington, Texas. The show, which sold out within hours, will be held at the 100,000-seat AT&T Stadium. Scheduled to help Strait say goodbye to his fans are Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Vince Gill, and many others.

At this year's annual South by Southwest film and music festival in Austin, Texas, some musicians from Mali were on hand to promote a film about how their lives were upturned by jihadists who destroyed ancient treasures in the city of Timbuktu and prohibited anyone from playing music under threat of death. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Austin, some are afraid to return to their hometowns even though the jihadists are no longer in control there.

Video

At this year's annual South by Southwest film and music festival in Austin, Texas, some musicians from Mali were on hand to promote a film about how their lives were upturned by jihadists who destroyed ancient treasures in the city of Timbuktu and prohibited anyone from playing music under threat of death. As VOA’s Greg Flakus reports from Austin, some are afraid to return to their hometowns even though the jihadists are no longer in control there.

Video

American warplanes joined Iraq's battle against the so-called 'Islamic State' in northern Iraq late Wednesday, as Iraqi ground troops launched a massive assault on Tikrit. Analysts say the offensive could take the coalition a step further towards Mosul, the largest city held by Islamic State forces. Others say it could also deepen already-dangerous sectarian tensions in the region. VOA's Heather Murdock has more from Cairo.

Video

Tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry in the Philippines. Close to five million foreign visitors traveled there last year, perhaps lured by the country’s tropical beaches. But Jason Strother reports from Manila that the country hopes to entice more travelers to stay indoors and spend money inside new casinos.

Video

The continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and the shelling of civilian neighborhoods seem to be pushing more men to join the separatist fighters. Many of the new recruits are residents of Ukraine made bitter by new grievances, as well as old. VOA's Patrick Wells reports.

Video

Islamic State fighter, a prisoner of Kurdish YPG forces, asked his family asking for forgiveness: "I destroyed myself and I destroyed them along with me." The Syrian youth was one of two detainees who spoke to VOA’s Kurdish Service about the path they chose; their names have been changed and identifying details obscured. VOA's Zana Omer reports.

Video

More is being discovered about the co-pilot in the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in the French Alps. Investigators say he was hiding a medical condition, raising questions about the mental qualifications of pilots. VOA's Carolyn Presutti reports.

Video

In cities with heavily congested traffic, people can get around much faster on a motorcycle than in a car. But a rider who is not sure of his route may have to stop to look at the map or consult a GPS. A Russian start-up company is working to make navigation easier for motorcyclists. Designers at Moscow-based LiveMap are developing a smart helmet with a built-in navigation system, head-mounted display and voice recognition. Zlatica Hoke has more.

Video

U.S. federal law enforcement agents arrested two suburban Chicago men accused of trying to join ISIS overseas, while also plotting attacks in the United States. As VOA’s Kane Farabaugh reports from the Midwest state of Illinois, one of those arrested is a soldier of the Illinois National Guard.

Video

Traditional push-rim wheelchairs create a lot of stress for arm, shoulder and neck muscles and joints. A redesigned chair, based on readily available bicycle technology, radically increases mobility while reducing the physical effort. VOA’s George Putic reports.

Video

Beatrice Yardolo was to make history as Liberia’s last Ebola patient. Liberians recently started counting down 42 days, the period that has to go by without a single new infection until the World Health Organization can declare a country Ebola-free. That countdown stopped on March 20 when there was another new case of Ebola, making Yardolo’s story a reminder that Ebola is far from over. Benno Muchler reports from Monrovia.

Video

Indigenous communities in Cambodia's Ratanakiri province say the government’s economic land concession policy is taking away their land and traditional way of life, making many fear that their identity will soon be lost. Local authorities, though, have denied this is the case. VOA's Say Mony went to investigate and filed this report, narrated by Colin Lovett.

Video

One of the films that drew big crowds last week at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, tells the story of the last human being to stand on the moon, U.S. astronaut Eugene Cernan. It has been 42 years since Cernan returned from the moon and he laments that no one else has gone there since. VOA’s Greg Flakus reports.